TERRE HAUTE —
As a team stocked full of underclassmen continues to grow and gain some NCAA Division I women’s basketball seasoning, those players will blend with four recruits who will likely be ready to make a big impact for coach Teri Moren in 2013-14.
Sullivan native Rhagen Smith, daughter of former Sycamore basketball standout Maria (Stockberger) Smith, will be the only true freshman of the four. The 6-foot-2 forward is joined by 5-1 junior-college point guard Ricquia Jones, junior-college wing Jasmine Grier and Kansas State transfer Stephanie Wittman.
While Smith committed before his arrival, ISU’s new recruiting coordinator John Marcum helped bring in this class that the staff expects to continue to improve the Sycamores’ athleticism.
“Coach Marcum’s done a tremendous job and the rest of the staff. When you get them on campus, you’re all entertaining them as well as our players. Our kids are the best part of Indiana State as far as recruiting,” Moren said. “We’re all excited about the four new additions. There are some missing pieces that we don’t have. Very, very athletic. To get a kid like Rhagen Smith just down the street from us, a local kid. She was a junior All-Star last year. We’re hoping she’s an Indiana All-Star. We’re hoping to keep that string going.”
ISU will have to replace senior point guard Taylor Whitley. Marcum thinks the Sycamores have an answer with Jones and Wittman, who will be enrolled at ISU in January 2013, making her eligible to begin Missouri Valley Conference play next season.
“Ricquia’s one of the best point guards in junior college,” Marcum said. “All she’s ever done is win. Guards her tail off on the ball, doesn’t take any possessions off and has those intangible things you’re looking for in a point guard as far as leadership ability and vocal nature.”
Jones averaged 8 points, 4.3 assists and 3.1 steals as a freshman at Seward County Commnity College. She’s a native of Bellwood, Ill., just west of Chicago.
Moren expects her leadership and defense to be her biggest assetts.
“Ricquia is a dynamic point guard, so we’re hoping she can come in and fill some big shoes with Taylor graduating,” Moren said. “That’ll be key. She’s super fast and she’s dynamic, but what she has are intangibles, her leadership. She’s very, very vocal. She’ll be hard for people to get by, she’s very good defensively. She’ll step in and be one of the best [point guards] right away [in the Missouri Valley Conference].”
Wittman, a native of San Antonio, Texas, played in 35 games in two years at Kansas State, totaling just 24 points. But Marcum expects her to thrive in the Missouri Valley.
“Stephanie is really good in the open floor, strong body, Big 12 athlete, explosive off the floor, rim-level leaper. And looking forward to her, she was one of the best high school players in the country coming out of high school. She’ll be an instant-impact kid for us,” Marcum said.
“Wonderful athlete, and just going to add to our depth on the perimeter, she and Jasmine Grier both. We’re extremely glad they’ll be joining us.”
Grier, a 6-0 wing, was one of 40 players invited to the NJCAA Women’s Basketball Coaches Association All-Star Game this past summer.
“Jasmine is a high-character — basketball character and off-court character — kid and at 6-0 can score in a multitude of ways, can really shoot the basketball,” Marcum said. “She’s obviously one of the top 40 junior college players in the country. Wichita State was one of the main competitors we had. She had about 15 Division I offers.”
Marcum was impressed by what he saw of Smith this past summer in AAU.
“Rhagen is a blue-collar kid, a local kid who has some upside and toughness. Works hard and always is in great shape. Her size, her genetics and work ethic give her some upside we’re looking forward to develop,” Marcum said.
Smith is thrilled to be joining the program, which she views as being on the rise under Moren and the new staff.
“The way coach Moren has talked, they’re going to be great assets to the program. I’m realy excited to get to meet them and play with them all,” Smith said. “I feel like this year the team is so young [that] it may be a rebuilding year. But it’s only going to go up from here. She’s getting a lot of good players and people surrounding the program.”
Smith played with many of the current players this past summer in open gym.
“I fit in real well, feel very comfortable around the girls. That’s very exciting for me,” Smith said.
Multimedia
Related Videos
Related Photos
-
Sullivan's Rhagen Smith (45) blocks out for a rebound.
Discussion
VIDEO: ISU women add athleticism, experience with 2013 recruiting class
Two junior-college players, Big 12 transfer join Rhagen Smith
- Multimedia
-
-
VIDEO: SPPRAK segment airs on NBC News
About 9 million national TV viewers got a very positive image of Terre Haute Monday night, thanks to a tiny not-for-profit group and the Vigo County School Corp.
-
VIDEO: Wabash Valley residents start flood cleanup process
Several Wabash Valley counties are assessing damage as a result of flooding along the Wabash River, Eel River and Big Walnut Creek.
-
VIDEO: Happy Birthday Paul Dresser
The banks of the swollen Wabash River weren’t so far away Monday as several people gathered at the Paul Dresser Home in Fairbanks Park to celebrate what would have been the celebrated songwriter’s 155th birthday.
-
VIDEO: Massive explosion at fertilizer plant rocks Texas town
An explosion at a fertilizer plant in the town of West, Texas, on Wednesday night has flattened buildings and injured dozens, according to local officials.
-
VIDEO: ISU's Brown delivers winning block
Two years ago, Indiana State knocked Evansville out of the Missouri Valley Conference men’s basketball tournament via a last-second shot. On Friday? It was a last-second swat.
-
VIDEO: No Arop, no energy, no victory for Sycamores
Indiana State’s men’s basketball team wanted to use its last home game of the season Wednesday as a springboard to success in next week’s Missouri Valley Conference tournament.
-
VIDEO: ISU crashes at Missouri State
Indiana State earned the pole position in the Missouri Valley Conference men’s basketball standings last weekend and had its first chance to lead a lap.
But at JQH Arena on Tuesday, the Sycamores crashed in the first turn.
Missouri State afforded ISU the respect it earned as conference leaders with an inspired effort. The Bears’ defense had ISU on its heels for the majority of the contest, and a late comeback effort by the Sycamores fell short in a 67-65 loss. -
VIDEO: Sycamore stress test: ISU survives Southern Illinois
The Sycamores started flat – down by 12 four-minutes-into-the-game level of flat – and needed some heroes to infuse the energy needed to keep their Missouri Valley Conference title hopes alive.
Comes the hour, came Khristian Smith. Later, it was R.J. Mahurin. And then, on ISU’s last possession, who else but Jake Odum?
All three played a role in a 66-65 win for ISU.
-
VIDEO: Indiana State gets 1,400th win in school history, Odum tops 1,000 career points in rout of No. 16 Creighton
The realistic hope for Indiana State’s men’s basketball team going into its game against No. 16 Creighton was to get a win — by whatever method or whatever margin necessary — and get itself back into the Missouri Valley Conference race.
-
VIDEO: ISU knocks off No. 15 Wichita State
After a nonconference season in which unfancied Indiana State defeated Miami and Mississippi, many observers stood on the sideline waiting for the Sycamores to get a similar victory in Missouri Valley Conference play before they saw fit to declare them a legitimate MVC title threat.
The wait is over.
-
VIDEO: Sycamores' aggressive rebounding plays big part in pulling away from SIU
Indiana State's M-and-M combination continued to carry the Sycamores' women's basketball team Thursday night in Hulman Center.
The duo of Anna Munn and Racheal Mahan combined for 30 points, helping ISU improve to 11-5 overall and 3-2 in the Missouri Valley Conference with a 72-57 victory against Southern Illinois. -
VIDEO: Workmanlike Sycamores drop Bradley 68-53
The intricacies of help defense aren’t going to show up on any highlight shows.
But far as Indiana State’s men’s basketball team is concerned, help defense is as pretty as any breakaway dunk or a crowd-pleasing blocked shot. -
VIDEOS: ISU's Odum breaks Miami in OT
Indiana State’s men’s basketball team never put its hammer away against Miami in the Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic on Tuesday.
The Sycamores kept pounding at the rock. Figuratively, yes. But literally too as ISU’s faced an imposing Hurricanes’ front line.
The rock cracked in the last minute. And it broke in overtime.
Jake Odum converted a leaner in the lane with 0.8 left as ISU defeated Miami 57-55 in overtime to take third place in the Diamond Head Classic.
-
VIDEO: ISU’s upset bid slips through turnover-prone fingers
Indiana State point guard Jake Odum cut a forlorn figure outside the Sycamores’ locker room after a 62-55 loss to No. 18 San Diego State in men’s basketball Sunday evening.
-
VIDEOS: Indiana State fights past Ole Miss in overtime at Hawaii
Hakaka … it’s the Hawaiian word for “fight.”
Not unlike a Hawaiian volcano roaring to life, Indiana State’s men’s basketball team was able to summon its inner Hakaka on Saturday against Mississippi in the opening game of the Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic. -
VIDEOS: Sycamores have work cut out for them at Diamond Head Classic
All you have to do is take one look at Indiana State’s team hotel to realize ISU’s participation in the Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic is a tad different from your average road trip.
-
VIDEO: So far, so good for Sycamores
Perhaps the most important conversation new Indiana State football coach Mike Sanford had on Monday wasn’t with the administration, the alumni and the assembled media at his introductory press conference, but a talk that came after it.
-
SLIDESHOW: Flash Back: 2012 in Pictures
Tribune-Star photographers Joseph C. Garza, Jim Avelis and Bob Poynter showcase their favorite work of 2012.
-
VIDEO: ISU women add athleticism, experience with 2013 recruiting class
As a team stocked full of underclassmen continues to grow and gain some NCAA Division I women’s basketball seasoning, those players will blend with four recruits who will likely be ready to make a big impact for coach Teri Moren in 2013-14.
Sullivan native Rhagen Smith, daughter of former Sycamore basketball standout Maria (Stockberger) Smith, will be the only true freshman of the four. The 6-foot-2 forward is joined by 5-1 junior-college point guard Ricquia Jones, junior-college wing Jasmine Grier and Kansas State transfer Stephanie Wittman. -
VIDEO: Indiana State University police officer leads rescue of student from burning car
On a typical day, Indiana State University police officer Chris Heleine might deal with theft reports, well-being checks or property damage accidents.
But Wednesday was not a typical day. -
SLIDESHOW: Veterans Day Parade 2012
Terre Haute’s annual Veterans Day parade down Wabash Avenue on Sunday, Nov. 11, 2012, concluded with an 11:11 a.m. post-parade ceremony and 21-gun salute at the VFW Post 972 at 12th and Mulberry streets.
-
SLIDESHOW: General Election 2012
Photos by Tribune-Star photographers Bob Poynter, Joe Garza and Jim Avelis. Check back for more photos.
-
SLIDESHOW: Sandy delivers snow to East
-
VIDEO: Sandy brings more snow to Appalachian Mountains
Snow continues to fall in the Appalachian Mountains thanks to superstorm Sandy, leaving an estimated 150,000 people without power.
-
VIDEO: Mammoth storm Sandy plunges NYC into darkness
Much of New York was plunged into darkness Monday by a superstorm that overflowed the city's historic waterfront, flooded the financial district and subway tunnels and cut power to hundreds of thousands of people.
-
SLIDESHOW: Hurricane Sandy brings wind, water
Damaging winds and storm surges from Hurricane Sandy began affecting Massachusetts on Monday.
-
VIDEO: Shakin’ Things Up
Trucks rumbling through the city streets have university officials hoping for good vibrations this weekend.
-
VIDEO: Famous Hoosier horror legend to appear at Linton haunted house
Sammy Terry, the spooktacular entertainer who captivated Hoosier television viewers every weekend in the 1960s, ’70s and ’80s, is ready for some new “frightmares” — and his search is returning him to Linton.
-
SLIDESHOW: This year's 15 hottest toys
Is it too early to start your holiday shopping? Not according to Toys R Us, which just released its "Hot Toy List" for 2012. Check out the top 15 toys that made the list. Find all 50 at toysrus.com/hottoys.
-
VIDEO: Mark Bennett: Terre Haute featured in ‘strange, offbeat, evocative, wonderful movie’
Some people hold a fond memory of Terre Haute. Some even dream of escaping to Terre Haute to start a new life.
- More Multimedia Headlines
-
Raw: Utah Teen Arrested in Death of His Brothers
Boy Scouts Decision "First Step" Say Activists
Raw: Jurors Deadlock on Jodi Arias Penalty
Raw Video: Washington State Bridge Collapse
Sheriff: No Sign Killing of 2 Kids Was Planned
Raw: Heckler Interrupts Obama on Guantanamo
Obama Offers Drone Strike Defense
Boy Scouts Mom Supports Gay Inclusiveness
Closer Look at Okla. School Where Children Died
Johnson: Don't Blame Islam or UK Policy
Two Suspects in Murder Known to London Police
A Slice of Apple History Up for Grabs
Obama Defends Drone Strikes, With Limits
Raw: Scuffles in London After Hacking Death
Raw: 80-Year-Old Climbs Mount Everest
Boy Scouts Approve Plan to Accept Gay Boys
Britain Attack Believed Linked to Radical Islam
Chain-Reaction School Bus Crash Injures About 50
Wash. State Man Arrested Following Ricin Scare
Oklahoma Family Reflects on Lost Son
AK-47-wielding thug may be the most bumbling crook ever
Oklahoma Survivors, Heroes Survey Damage
Trout's cycle a boost for Angels
Raw: New Video of Deadly Oklahoma Tornado
Kim Kardashian Flaunts Pregnant Bikini Body in Greece
NBA star pledges $1M to help tornado recovery
Shakira's Shocking Talent
Morgan Freeman falls asleep on air
GRAPHIC: Blood-Soaked Machete Killer Caught on Tape
Elin Nordegren Furious With Lindsey Vonn For Parading Kids in Public
Camera Captures Climber As He Loses Grip And Falls
Helen Mirren Meets with Dying Boy in Queen Elizabeth's Place
Crowd Chants '¡Si, Se Puede!' After Passage of Immigration Bill
DWTS Crowns a Winner
Police Ram House to End Hostage Standoff
Demi Moore a Rocks Bikini at Harry Morton's Family House
Anthony Weiner: I'm running for New York City mayor
Kate Middleton's Dress Flies Up
VIRAL: Baby makes epic soccer goal
The Hangover Baby All Grown Up
